Automakers
around the world are rushing to get hybrid vehicles onto the market
as consumers look to go green. Many of the hybrid vehicles are trying
to appeal to drivers other than those just looking for the best fuel
economy.

Fast hybrid autos seem like an oxymoron at first
glance. There are a growing number of automakers looking to offer
sporty hybrids that boast the fuel economy of small cars with the
power and performance of a sports car. The latest firm to throw its
hat into the ring of performance hybrid vehicles is Infiniti with its
new M35h.
The looks of the sedan are certainly sporty, but what is under the
hood really separates the sports cars from the grocery getters.

The
M35h packs a 3.5L V6 engine that has 302 horsepower along with a 50kW
electric motor that is integrated into the car's 7-speed automatic
transmission. The battery pack for the electric motor is a 1.3kWh
lithium-ion unit. The performance of the hybrid beguiles its frugal
nature with a 0-60 time of under 5.9 seconds and a top speed of
155mph. The car can reach 50 mph on electric power alone.

While
the vehicle clearly is performance oriented, its fuel economy is
comparable to that of a compact. The car has a combined fuel
consumption rating of 32.2 mpg with CO2 emissions a bit under 170
g/kg. Further details of the M35h will be unveiled at the Paris Motor
Show. The electric driving range of the vehicle is limited to 1.24
miles.

Infiniti expects to sell the M35h across Europe
starting in the spring of 2011 and pricing details will be unveiled
early next year.

Because
of the addition of the electric motors and battery pack for the
hybrid drive, the M35h weighs in at 4,155 pounds, making it 265
pounds heavier than the M37. The car uses special electro-hydraulic
steering with on-demand assistance, the brakes on the car are
operated by the electric motor, and the regenerative system helps
recharge the cars battery.

Infiniti's
chief rival -- Lexus -- is also looking to shore up its range
with more
sporty and hybrid offerings.

"The whole principle [of censorship] is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak." -- Robert Heinlein